Banner with St. George's Cross

Medieval Linen Banner with St. George's Cross and Blue Field

Historical Context and Symbolism of the Cross

Although similar banners are sometimes referred to as Hospitaller flags in popular culture, from a strictly heraldic perspective, the red cross on a white field belongs primarily to Saint George. This symbol (the St. George's Cross) was made famous during the Crusades, notably by the Knights Templar, and also became the emblem of many cities and nations (such as England or Genoa). The Hospitallers, on the other hand, traditionally wore a white cross on a red or black background. The combination of the St. George's cross in the upper half and a solid blue field in the lower part, all unified by a bold red border, forms a very distinct heraldic element. The rounded, drop-like shape of the banner ensured excellent visibility and aerodynamics on the dusty and chaotic battlefield.

Mounting and Installation

The top edge of the banner is equipped with a continuous sleeve (tunnel) for practical and secure suspension (although the illustrative photograph may suggest loops at the top edge, the solid sleeve is the definitive method for production and functionality). The pennant is primarily designed to hang from a horizontal spar. To ensure that the banner is custom-made to fit perfectly, and the sleeve is neither too loose nor unnecessarily tight, please do not forget to specify the exact diameter of the pole in your order notes. As optimal an accessory for this banner, we highly recommend a smoothly sanded and dark-stained wooden pole.

Linen Care and Maintenance Instructions

The banner is sewn from high-quality natural linen and therefore requires gentle care to maintain its strength and vibrant colours for a long time. We recommend washing the banner exclusively by hand in lukewarm water at a maximum temperature of 30 °C (86 °F). Completely avoid the use of bleaches and aggressive chemical agents, which would irreversibly ruin the colours. Never dry the banner in a tumble dryer – the linen would crease and shrink significantly. It is ideal to dry it hanging freely or laid flat on an even surface. You can iron it at a higher temperature suitable for linen textiles, but ideally from the reverse side or through a clean, damp cloth.

Technical Specifications of the Banner